(212c) Updates on the Operation of Netl’s 50-Kw Chemical Looping Combustion Test Facility

The United States Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) is developing transformational fossil fuel combustion technologies that result in more efficient power cycles and/or substantial reductions in GHG emissions. One such technology is Chemical Looping Combustion (CLC), which has the potential to achieve lower cost of electricity than a conventional power plant with a conventional CO₂ absorption system. Although the ideas behind chemical looping have a long history, CLC has numerous technical issues that must be addressed to prepare this technology for a commercial debut. Two major areas are (1) development of an economic oxygen carrier and (2) solids handling. These areas are being studied in a small 50 kW_th natural gas circulating test facility. This paper will describe the test facility and recent operating experience using iron-based oxygen carrier materials, which include raw hematite (a “commodity” oxygen carrier) and a manufactured copper and iron oxide oxygen carrier supported by alumina. Operating experience has indicated good methane conversions for the manufactured carrier but poorer performance for the hematite material.